Fraternization and the Death of the West!
13 Jul, 2007
- Half the soldiers in Il Duce’s Army had relatives living in the United States. How could they be enemies? They had so much in common—their humanity, their religion. Johnny Reb, Billy Yank; there had never been a war like the American Civil War. Fraternization took the edge off the hatred—some of it long lasting. In the War on Terror, save for what has come from the West, there has been a noticeable lack of fraternization—nothing from the other side. Congressman Peter King (R-NY) attends the funerals of prominent Muslims in his district. He has grown discouraged. It has been a one-way street. The oblivious Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) has said nice things about Osama bin Laden. President George W. Bush visited the Washington Islamic Center shortly after 9/11 to denounce anti-Muslim violence and to assure America “Islam is peace.” Was it fraternization? It could pass for it. Was there a response? Not so as one would notice—there were no corresponding acts of kindness, no meeting of the minds, no reciprocity, only an obstinate hatred of all things West, a one-way road to dar al-Islam, intransigence mired in Jihad and rooted in Hell.
Do Muslims visit Christian churches? They do. In May of 2002, an armed band of Muslims, apparently bent on ‘fraternization,’ occupied the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. They stayed five weeks, cooking sausages on the altar and using the Bible for toilet paper. The Israeli Defense Forces ended the ‘peaceful’ occupation. Thirteen militants were sent to Cyprus and twenty-six to Gaza. They left 40 explosive devices in the Church compound. The President left the Washington Islamic Center with his good wishes and his gullibility. No longer expecting anything, Peter King just leaves.
Pope Benedict XVI visited a mosque in Istanbul to pray and to show his respect for Muslims. “This visit will help us find together the way of peace for the good of all humanity,” said the Pope. Was it fraternization or obeisance? Whatever it was, it did not spur any respect for the Pope’s religion. On September 16, 2006, a Greek Orthodox Church in Gaza City and five other churches in Nablus were attacked by Palestinians armed with guns, firebombs and lighter fluid. The next day, two more churches were attacked. Was it something the Pope said? At least they could have stayed for coffee—Jeb Stuart always stayed for coffee after raiding a Federal supply base; that and to complain about the poor quality of the mules supplied by the Federal Government. Hatred was not part of Jeb’s character—or of his religion.
Debbie Weber, a social studies teacher at Edgewood Middle School in Cincinnati, Ohio, arranged for three of her seventh grade classes to visit a mosque as part of their study of the world’s five major religions. Some parents objected and the Thomas More Law Center prevailed upon Debbie to cancel the visit. According to Thomas More, a growing number of US Public Schools are alleging discrimination as a pretext to proselytize for Islam. Shakila Ahmad, a volunteer who organizes the tours was disappointed. “It rarely, rarely, rarely happens,” he said. “I empathize with the school, with the teacher, with the superintendent. They’re working with some misinformed members of the community.” Misinformed about what…the First Amendment? Did they forget that Shar’ia Law trumps the Constitution? Do Muslim students visit churches and synagogues as part of their educational experience? And if not, why not?
Public schools are setting aside prayer rooms for Muslim students; Eastern Michigan University has installed footbaths so Muslim students can perform their before-prayer rituals. Non-Muslim students take classes in Islam, learn quotes from the Qur’an; get to say “Allahu akbar.” A Bible or a T-shirt saying ‘Jesus saves” will get the miscreant detention. A spirit of spineless accommodation is afoot in America’s Brave New Schoolhouse.
How accommodating is Islam to other religions and other cultures? As accommodating as Captain Hook was to Peter Pan, or is that too much to expect? Islam has only been around 1,400 years.
An example of Islamic accommodation: Recently in Benin, Islamic militants went on a rampage and destroyed a church—it had been open three days…THREE DAYS! Churches have been torched in Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, Indonesia, and Kashmir; pick any point on the compass. Wherever there is a church or synagogue there is Mad Mullah anxious to tear it down and enough willing hands are available to help him do it. Is it possible to get along with Islam? Accommodation is suicide; surrender is worse than death. Johnny Reb and Billy Yank got along famously when they weren’t killing each other. They fraternized every chance they got. They had few religious or cultural hang-ups. On the other hand, fire and water mix more readily than Muslims and non-Muslims.
Fraternization? Yeah! What fraternization? What do the Imams say?
A Muslim asked Mufti Ebrahim Desai of Ask the Imam if it was okay to attend the funeral of his Christian relatives, particularly in a church. The Mufti said, “It is prohibited to attend the actual funeral ceremonies of non-Muslims.” Display your grief and send your condolences. (Pay attention Peter King)
A Muslim who had removed his children from a Muslim school to a Public school because they were falling behind academically went on line to find out if he had done the right thing. “Please note, that children spend most of their active lives at schools” said the Answer Man, “ and they will be affected regardless where they are. You really don’t want to hear your daughter coming to you when she is 13 years old, to tell you that she has a date, and I can almost guarantee you, that someone will propose to her. Don’t make it hard on her by putting her in an environment that encourages immoral behavior.” Brave New Schoolhouse indeed!
A Muslim from Canada had a question for the Imam. Was it wrong for the Taliban to destroy the giant Buddhas? If Islam preaches tolerance how could one justify the destruction of the Buddhas? The Imam was ready. “It is wrong to say that Islam teaches us to respect the religious beliefs of non-Muslims,” he said. “To respect the beliefs of others means to respect kufr and shirk. This it totally unacceptable.” (kufr= Christians and Jews; shirk=polytheists)
Klebold, Harris, Starkweather, Manson, Dahmer, did not fraternize.
According to the Imam, non-Muslims have the following rights: “They may practice their religion within the privacy of their homes; They may not build any new churches or synagogues, etc; They may not celebrate any religious festivals in public; They may not display in public any item having particular religious pupport, e.g. bible, cross, statue etc; They may not ring the church bell, nor read their religious books so loud that it is audible in public.” These were the laws in effect during the glorious Andalusian Caliphate.
Johnny Reb- Billy Yank; Gale Sayers-Brian’s Song! A good Muslim does not fraternize. Mohammed will never pour champagne over Yogi Berra’s head after a World Series; Mohammed will never saunter into Archie Bunker’s Place to hoist a few with Barney Hefner and the gay guy. There is more religious and cultural diversity on the Chicago Cubs’ pitching staff—and a lot more tolerance—than there is in all of Islam. Muslims won’t be visiting a church or synagogue near you unless to torch it—and if they do visit, like a few brave Muslim women and politicians did under heavy guard in Baghdad recently, it will be to risk the fate of Salman Rushdie. Fraternization—is a word one won’t find in the Qur’an.
| If you like this essay: |
Stumble it
 |
digg it |
Denis Schulz was prospective convert to Islam (read his testimony: How I Almost Became a Muslim?) before changing his mind after the 9/11. He actively writes on the threats of Islam and terrorism.
bobby
Thursday July 12, 2007
20:53:30 -0700
To defeat the cult of islam, all non-muslims should unite. what is the use when a christian is only worried about attacks to his faith
dani
Friday July 13, 2007
05:01:06 -0700
very sad...but true
allat
Friday July 13, 2007
11:35:31 -0700
When I was a rebellious teen, I read the 1001 Arabian Nights" and saw "I dream of Genie" - I thought islam was the cat's meow - so, when I was alone, I uttered those fateful words " There is no good but allah!" Well, I drifted away from that thought, many, many years ago. I guess I'm an apostate. Ha, ha! Of course, I had also, rejected christianity at the time, and still do. I guess that makes me a heretic. :) Today, I'm an outright Pagan. And I've never been happier! Allat - Pagan Pantheist
allat
Friday July 13, 2007
11:48:05 -0700
In the previous comment, in the phrase I meant "There is no god but allah!" But later, I became a Feminist, as as I read about the suppression of women in that ideology, I rejected it. ANd after reading about the gelding (which is that it is) of girls - I definitely, THREW ISLAM OUT THE WINDOW! Oh, I am so happy about that, after doing so much research and study in the Internet, and books re. that poisonous ideology. I can see in retrospect that my character and thinking was clean and balanced, spiritually and culturally! The Great Spirit was/has been with me.
Bacon Buttie
Saturday July 14, 2007
17:51:56 -0700
We didn't listen to the class idiots, we pitied them. Why do we give any credence whatsoever to humanity's idiots, the muslims? They can't open their mouths without looking foolish. Asides the no-sex-before-marriage idea (and hymen repair clinics in European cities are just another western plot..!) and what do we have? A barely digestible 'holy book', a 'prophet' of dubious qualities and today, post conquest, millions of jobless, ignorant Arab muslims squatting former Christian civilised lands, all of North Africa and the Fertile Crescent.
Mohamed
Sunday July 15, 2007
07:20:24 -0700
Islam is a religion of peace, love and tolerance. Today, however, some circles have been presenting a false image of Islam, as if there were conflict between Islam and the adherents of the two other monotheistic religions. Yet Islam's view of Jews and Christians, who are named "the People of the Book" in the Qur'an , is very friendly and tolerant. This attitude towards the People of the Book developed during the years of the birth of Islam. At that time, Muslims were a minority, struggling to protect their faith and suffering oppression and torture from the pagans of the city of Mecca. Due to this persecution, some Muslims decided to flee Mecca and shelter in a safe country with a just ruler. The Prophet Muhammad told them to take refuge with King Negus, the Christian king of Ethiopia. The Muslims who followed this advice found a very fair administration that embraced them with love and respect when they went to Ethiopia. King Negus refused the demands of the pagan messengers who asked him to surrender the Muslims to them, and announced that Muslims could live freely in his country. Such attitudes of Christian people that are based on the concepts of compassion, mercy, modesty and justice, constitute a fact that God has pointed out in the Qur'an . A verse of the Qur'an states: … You will find the people most affectionate to those who believe are those who say, 'We are Christians.' That is because some of them are priests and monks and because they are not arrogant. (Surat al-Ma'ida, 82) Christian and Muslim belief have many aspects in common. Judaism too shares many beliefs with Islam. All true adherents of these three great religions: • " believe that God has created the entire universe out of nothing and that He dominates all that exists with His omnipotence. • " believe that God has created man and living things in a miraculous way and that man possesses a soul granted him by God. • " believe that besides Jesus, Moses or Muhammad, God sent many prophets such as Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Joseph throughout history, and they love all these prophets. • " believe in resurrection, Heaven and Hell and angels, and that God has created our lives with a certain destiny. The beliefs of the People of the Book are in harmony with Muslims, not only in terms of faith-related issues, but also of moral values. Today, in a world where such immoralities as adultery, homosexuality, drug addiction and a model of egoism and self-seeking cruelty have grown widespread, the People of the Book and Muslims share the same virtues: Honor, chastity, humility, self-sacrifice, honesty, compassion, mercy and unconditional love… It is evident there are ample grounds for an alliance between the "People of the Book" and Muslims. This is also very evident in the Qur'an . In the relevant verses of the Qur'an , there is a significant difference between the People of the Book and the idolaters. This is especially emphasized in the area of social life. For example, it is said concerning the idolaters: "(they) are unclean, so after this year they should not come near the Masjid al-Haram (Kaaba)." (Surat at-Tawba: 28) Idolaters are people who obey no divine law, have no moral precepts and who are capable of committing every kind of degrading and perverse action without hesitation. But while they basically rely on God's revelation, the People of the Book have moral precepts and know what is lawful and what is not. For this reason, if one of the People of the Book cooks some food, it is lawful for Muslims to eat it. In the same way, permission has been given for a Muslim man to marry a woman from among the People of the Book. On this subject God commands: Today all good things have been made lawful for you. And the food of those given the Book is also lawful for you and your food is lawful for them. So are chaste women from among the believers and chaste women of those given the Book before you, once you have given them their dowries in marriage, not in fornication or taking them as lovers. But as for anyone who disbelieve, his actions will come to nothing and in the hereafter he will be among the losers. (Surat al-Mai'da: 5) These commands show that bonds of kinship may be established as a result of the marriage of a Muslim with a woman from the People of the Book, and that those on each side of the union can accept an invitation to a meal. These are the fundamentals that will ensure the establishment of equitable human relationships and a happy communal life. Since the Qur'an enjoins this equitable and tolerant attitude, it is unthinkable that a Muslim could take an opposing view. Another important fact we learn from the Qur'an is that Muslims must respect Jewish and Christian places of worship. In the Qur'an , the places of worship of the People of the Book, i.e. monasteries, churches and synagogues, are mentioned as places of worship protected by God. …if God had not driven some people back by means of others, monasteries, churches, synagogues and mosques, where God's name is mentioned much, would have been pulled down and destroyed. God will certainly help those who help Him - God is All-Strong, Almighty. (Surat al-Hajj: 40 ) This verse shows all Muslims the importance of respecting and protecting the sanctuaries of Christians and Jews. Indeed, in the Qur'an God commands Muslims not to harbor any enmity towards any people. In many verses, friendship is recommended, even with idolaters. God even refers to the idolaters at war with Muslims in this way: "If any of the idolaters ask you for protection, give them protection until they have heard the words of God. Then convey them to a place where they are safe." (Surat at-Tawba: 6) Jews and Christians, however, are much closer to Muslims than idolaters. Each of these religions has its book, that is, they are subject to a revelation sent down by God. They know what is right and what is wrong, what is lawful and what is unlawful. They know they will give an account to God, and they love and revere His prophets. This shows that Muslims and the people of the book can live easily together and cooperate. Another important fact that draws Christianity, Judaism and Islam together is the atheist philosophies that are so influential in our time. Among the best-known and most harmful philosophies of our age can be cited materialism, communism, fascism, anarchism, racism and secular humanism. Many people who believed in the fake diagnoses, deceptive descriptions and explanations of these ideas on the universe, society and man, have lost their faith or doubted it. What is more, these ideologies have dragged people, societies and nations into great crises, conflicts and wars. Their share of the blame for the pain and troubles that humanity suffers today is immense. While they deny God and creation, all the above-mentioned ideologies are based on a common framework, a so-called scientific basis; Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. Darwinism constitutes the basis of atheist philosophies. This theory claims that living beings have evolved as a result of coincidences and by means of a struggle for life. Therefore, Darwinism sends this deceptive message to people: "You are not responsible to anyone, you owe your life to coincidences, you need to struggle, and if necessary to oppress others to succeed. This world is one of conflict and self-interest". This evil morality advises people to be egoistical, self-seeking, cruel and oppressive. It destroys such virtues as mercy, compassion, self-sacrifice and humility, the moral values of the three great monotheistic religions. This being the case, it is necessary for the people of the Book and Muslims to cooperate, since they believe in God and accept the morality that He teaches. The followers of these three religions should expose to the world the fallacy of Darwinism, which has no scientific basis, but which is trying to be preserved for the sake of materialist philosophy. They should cooperatively carry out an intellectual struggle against all other deceptive ideas that serve atheism. Once this is realized, the world will, in a very short time, embrace peace, tranquility and justice.
AbdulKareem
Sunday July 15, 2007
07:32:33 -0700
Islamic Law protects basic human rights like the preservation of life, property, and honor for Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Whether the non-Muslims are residents or visitors, they are guaranteed these rights. These rights cannot be taken away except in a justified case permitted by law. For instance, a non-Muslim may not be killed unless he is guilty of killing. God says: “Say, ‘Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited to you. (He commands) that you not associate anything with Him, and to parents, good treatment, and do not kill your children out of poverty; We will provide for you and them. And do not approach immoralities – what is apparent of them and what is concealed. And do not kill the soul which God has forbidden [to be killed] except by [legal] right. This has He instructed you that you may use reason.’” (Quran 6:151) The Prophet of Islam declared that the life of non-Muslims residents or visitor has sanctity when he said: “Whoever kills a person with whom we have a treaty, will not come close enough to Paradise to smell its scent, and its scent can be found as far as forty years of travel [away].” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari) Islam does not allow assaulting a non-Muslim, violating his honor or property, or hurting him. If someone steals from a dhimmi, he must be punished. If anyone borrows from a dhimmi, the property must be returned. The Prophet of Islam said: “You must know that it is not lawful for you to take the property of the People of the Covenant unless it is (in payment) for something.”[1] He also said: “Indeed God, Mighty and Majestic, has not allowed you to enter the homes of the People of the Book except by their permission, nor has He allowed you to hit their women, nor eat their fruit if they give you what is obligatory upon them [from the jizyah].” (Abu Dawood) There is an interesting story from the era of Ahmad ibn Tulun of Egypt. One day a Christian monk came to Tulun’s palace to complain about his governor. Upon noticing him, a guard inquired about the problem. On finding out that the governor had taken 300 dinars from the monk, the guard offered to pay the monk on the condition that he does not complain, and the monk accepted his offer. The incident reached Tulun who ordered the monk, guard, and the governor to come to his court. Tulun said to the governor, ‘Are not all your needs met with a sufficient income? Do you have needs that justify taking from others?’ The governor conceded to the force of his argument, yet still Tulun kept on questioning him, eventually removing him from his post. Tulun then asked the monk how much the governor had taken from him, and the monk told him it was 300 dinars. Tulun said, ‘It is too bad you did not say 3000, as he needs a larger punishment, but I can only base it on your statement,’ and took the money from the governor and returned it to the monk.[2] Non-Muslims have the right that their honor be protected. This right is extended not only to non-Muslim residents, but also to visitors. They all have the right to be secure and protected. God says: “And if any one of the polytheists seeks your protection, then grant him protection so that he may hear the words of God (the Quran). Then deliver him to his place of safety. That is because they are a people who do not know.” (Quran 9:6) The right to asylum makes it a duty on every Muslim to respect and uphold the asylum granted by another Muslim according to the Prophet’s statement: “The obligation imposed by the covenant is communal, and the nearest Muslim must try hard to fulfill it. Anyone who violates the protection granted by a Muslim will be under the curse of God, the angels, and all people, and on Judgment Day no intercession will be accepted on his behalf.”[3] One of the female companions, Umm Hani, said to the Prophet: “Messenger of God, my brother Ali claims that he is at war with a man whom I have granted asylum, a man with the name of Ibn Hubayra.” The Prophet answered her: “Anyone you have given asylum to is under the protection of all of us, O Umm Hani.”[4] The right to asylum and protection requires a Muslim to give asylum and grant security to a non-Muslim who seeks it and warns of severe punishment for anyone who violates it. Asylum guarantees protection from aggression, or attack for anyone who has been given security, a right that is not explicitly granted in any other religion.
Proud Kaffir
Sunday July 15, 2007
07:40:07 -0700
Why waste time on this website, it is becoming more pro Islam than those dedicated to spread Islam and it is teaching.
allat
Monday July 16, 2007
11:54:02 -0700
Mohammed: We are sick of the atrocities of your "religion of peace." To hell with islam! Allat - Pagan - Polytheist - Pantheist
Marie
Tuesday July 17, 2007
09:56:55 -0700
To Muhamed and Abdul Kareem, how do you explain the persecution of Christians and other non-muslims living in Muslim countries. In Turkey Christianity has been labeled as a terrorist organization according to the Turkish Government. I a Christian have read the Quran and I know what your religion teaches. So get real.
Thursday November 01, 2007
07:32:39 -0700
Billiy the kid
Thursday December 06, 2007
12:33:19 -0700
Actually it wont dominate because their holy book even says something like this "one day a son of islam will disturbed the sons of a eagle and will one day pay dier for disturbing the sons of the eagle". they say it in their own holy book that america will take back what was taken from them-peace
RANGEET SINGH
Saturday March 15, 2008
15:54:38 -0700
Islam Wipes Off All Past Sins Islam wipes off all past sins, it means that if a non-Muslim accept Islam just few days before his death than all his past sins will be converted to good deeds, than what about the past sins of a Muslim (by-birth). Whether his past sins will remain same, whereas past sins of a converted Muslim will be wiped off. Hope you understand my question. Thanks & best regards, Allah-Hafiz Your brother (There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.) Answer: Past sins forgive Taubah In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers. Your Question: My question is that I had read in your emails that acceptance of Islam wipes off all past sins Amr ibn al-`As says: "When Allah guided me to Islam, I went to the Prophet (saws) and said to him: `O Prophet of Allah (saws)! Stretch out your hand so that I may pledge my allegiance to you.` The Prophet (saws) stretched out his hand to me, but I withdrew my hand. The Prophet (saws) asked: `O `Amr! What is the matter with you?` I said: `I would like to stipulate a condition!` The Prophet (saws) asked: `What is it?` I said: `That all my past sins be forgiven!` The Prophet (saws) said: `O `Amr! Do you not know that (acceptance of) Islam wipes off all past sins, and ‘Hijrah’ (migration for Allah's Cause) wipes off all sins, and Hajj (Mabrur) wipes off all past sins!"` Related by Muslim. Dear and beloved brother, the one thing or act which ‘wipes out every single past sin’ is ‘Taubah’ and sincere repentance unto the Lord Most Merciful. Allah Subhanah, in His Infinite Mercy towards His slaves, has left this door or avenue of ‘Taubah’ unto Him open to every man (and every Jinn) until one is faced with their appointment of death. Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 39 Surah Zumur verses 53-54: (O Prophet) say: “O My servants who have wronged their own souls….Do not despair of Allah’s Mercy! Surely, Allah forgives all sins. He indeed is the All Forgiving, All Merciful. Return to your Lord and submit to Him before the scourge (death) overtakes you; for then you may get no help from anywhere.” Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 3 Surah Ale Imraan verse 135-136: Allah likes such good people very much, who, if ever they commit a base deed or wrong their own soul by the commission of a sin, remember Allah instantly, and ask for forgiveness from Him for their shortcomings. For who, but Allah, can forgive sins? (And Allah loves those) who do not knowingly persist in the wrongs they did. These will be rewarded with forgiveness from Allah, and with Gardens beneath which canals flow, and they will reside therein forever! How excellent is the reward of those who do good deeds! Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 6 Surah Anaam verse 54: When those come to you who believe in Our Signs, say: "Peace be on you! Your Lord had inscribed for Himself (the rule of) Mercy. Verily if any of you did evil in ignorance, and thereafter repented and amended (his conduct), Lo! He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 2338 Narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar Allah's Messenger (saws) said, "Allah accepts a servant's repentance (Taubah) till he gives up his spirit in death." Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 2357 Narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas`ud Allah's Messenger (saws) said, "He who repents of a sin is like him who has committed no sin." Your Question: ….it means that if a non-Muslim accept Islam just few days before his death than all his past sins will be converted to good deeds Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 25 Surah Furqaan verses 63-71: The (true) servants of the Merciful are those who walk humbly on the earth. When the ignorant people behave insolently towards them, they say, “Peace to you”; (And those) who pass their nights in prostrating themselves and standing before their Lord and pray, “O our Lord, save us from the torment of Hell, for its torment is killing! It is an evil abode, and an evil resting place”. (And those) who, when they spend are neither extravagant, nor miserly, but keep the golden mean between the two extremes. (And those) who do not invoke any god but Allah Alone, nor kill a soul unjustly, which Allah has forbidden, nor commit adultery… He who does this shall be punished for his sin, and his torment shall be doubled on the Day of Resurrection, and he shall abide in a state of ignominy; except the one who may have repented, believed and did righteous deeds thereafter; for then, Allah will change his evil deeds into good deeds, and He is very Forgiving and Merciful. In fact, one who repents and does righteous deeds, returns to Allah as one rightly should! Indeed brother, if indeed a non-Muslim were to accept Islam even a moment before he was faced with his appointment of death, the Lord Most Merciful has Promised and Guaranteed that not only will each and every sin of such a person would be forgiven, but all his past sins will be converted into good deeds! Beloved brother, the ‘acceptance of Islam’ is nothing more than an act of sincere ‘Taubah’ and repentance….for at the time of his acceptance to Islam, the former disbeliever turns back unto his Lord Creator in ‘Taubah’, and makes a solemn covenant that henceforth he will leave behind every ‘god’ he may have worshipped and turn to the One and Only Lord Creator Who Alone deserves worship. In truth, it is this sincere ‘Taubah’ and repentance which forgives the person all his past sins. Your Question: …..than what about the past sins of a Muslim (by-birth). Whether his past sins will remain same, Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 2338 Narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar Allah's Messenger (saws) said, "Allah accepts a servant's repentance (Taubah) till he gives up his spirit in death." Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 2357 Narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas`ud Allah's Messenger (saws) said, "He who repents of a sin is like him who has committed no sin." Beloved brother, if the ‘Muslim’ person were to seek sincere ‘Taubah’ and repentance for his past sins even unto a moment before he was faced with his appointment of death…..the same exact law which applies to the ‘non-Muslim’ who accepts Islam would be applicable to the ‘Muslim’; and all his past sins would be completely wiped out from his ‘book of records’ by the Lord Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Sincere ‘Taubah’ and repentance wipes out each and every past sin; the sins one will be held accountable for in the Court and Presence of the Lord Most Majestic are those sins for which one did not seek sincere repentance from their Lord before one’s death. Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength. Your brother and well wisher in Islam, Burhan
AKHTER
Sunday March 16, 2008
10:54:44 -0700
How The West Will Conquer Islamofascism I have been linking to coverage of the pro-secularism protests in Turkey. These protests are important because they represent one way in which the West will tame Islam: through people in Muslim countries deciding that they want to be "civilized, modern people" who enjoy the legacy of the European Enlightenment, and who do so largely by abandoning Islam as a religion. The article linked to below implies another way, a repeat of the process by which Christianity was tamed in the West: reform from within by religious thinkers who incorporate secular Enlightenment ideas into the realm of theology, as was done to Christianity in the Renaissance and Enlightenment, to the point where even the pope thinks that secular Classical philosophy is an integral part of the religion. Thus, the author below suggests that Muslims who have fled to the West to avoid the rise of religious fanaticism in their own countries will create an Islam reformed by ijtihad (independent thinking) and by "the spirit of intellectual rationalism." Incidentally, I have no doubt that the West will ultimately tame Islam. Our culture is so much stronger, so much more vibrant, so much more rewarding for those who accept it, that I do not believe it can lose in the long run. The only question is how long the conquest of Islam will take, how complete that conquest will be, and how much damage we will suffer while we lumber awkwardly toward that goal. "Islam's Coming Renaissance Will Rise in the West," Ameer Ali, The Australian, April 30 The Islamic resurgence of the post-1970s strengthened the hands of the religious orthodoxy and engendered the spectre of political Islam but failed to rekindle the spirit of intellectual rationalism that once pushed Islam to the frontiers of science and modernity. That failure was compounded and worsened by the rise of tyrannical regimes in the Muslim world. The absence of democracy and lack of popular support forced these regimes to look for legitimacy elsewhere. By championing the cause of religious orthodoxy of the dominant variety in each context, these regimes masqueraded as champions of popular and populist Islam. Any intellectual pursuit that threatened this state-mullah alliance was aggressively curtailed. In Egypt, in Pakistan, in Syria, and in many other Muslim countries Muslim intellectuals who challenged populist Islam faced condemnation not only by the religious hardliners but also by the secular elite that governed these countries. One happy outcome of this tragic situation was the voluntary exodus of Muslim intellectuals to the West. From an inhospitable environment of political tyranny and ideological oppression Muslim scholars migrated to find refuge in the West, where the mind enjoys more freedom to think, debate, and express. As a result, the migrant Muslim intellectuals are now producing a new genre of publications, many of which are questioning centuries-old interpretations of the primary texts in Islam. A new era of ijtihad (independent thinking) rooted in scientific, objective reasoning is spreading from the West and is beginning to make its mark in the Muslim mind-set…. There are too many of these scholars to enumerate and the number is increasing. All these cases underline the revolutionary thinking among Muslim intellectuals that is setting the pace for a new wave of Islamic rationalism radiating from the West…. The situation is changing fast. The internet and electronic communication technology have revolutionised the production and distribution of knowledge. Sources of information that were only remotely accessible to a selected few are readily available to many at the click of a mouse. Inquisitive Muslim minds do not have to wait for a cleric to arrive for consultation on theological issues. With the help of the internet any verse or chapter of the Koran and any sayings of the Prophet can be accessed from multiple sources and the reader has the luxury of choosing from among a variety of interpretations, meanings and elaborations.… The hated West has become the surrogate mother of this wave of Islamic rationalism.